Six mustangs that survived a brutal shooting attack in Nevada are up for adoption

SUTTER COUNTY, California (CNN) -- While suspects accused of slaughtering wild horses late last year await their next Nevada court date, six mustangs from the same herd are being tamed in California, in preparation for adoption.

George Berrier, president of the American Mustang and Burro Association, took possession of the horses last week at his ranch north of Sacramento, California. He's also helping the state of Nevada and the federal government find homes for the rest of the herd, numbering about 300 animals.

For more information, contact: George Berrier American Mustang and Burro Assn. P.O. Box 788 Lincoln, California 95648 530/633-2076

Based on past experience, the two mares, two stallions and two juvenile horses he received should be easy to train, Berrier told CNN affiliate KCRA.

"We can get the horse to come up to us within three or four hours. We can have a saddle on the horse within a week," he said.

The mustangs are also in good physical shape, he said, calling them "survivors of the wild."

Thirty-four wild horses were shot to death in Nevada last month

The suspects, two of them U.S. Marines, are accused of killing 34 wild horses with high-powered rifles. The shootings, just east of Reno, Nevada, occurred December 27.

The Marines -- Lance Cpl. Scott Brendle and Lance Cpl. Darien Brock -- and a high school friend, Anthony Merlino, face up to 15 years in prison if convicted in civilian court of theft, larceny and killing another person's animal.

All three have pleaded not guilty. The next court appearance for Brock and Brendle is a preliminary hearing in May.

Wild Horse and Rescue Links
Little Bookcliffs Wild Horse Range: Wild Horses in Grand Junction, Colorado
BLM Wild Horse and Burro Internet Adoption

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